By Kent Gray
Here’s three golfing acronyms we didn’t think we’d ever connect in the same sentence: EGF OOM series gets WAGR status. 

Until yesterday, the Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) 2018-19 Order of Merit (that’s the OOM acronym) series was set to open at the Address Montgomerie Dubai on October 19 to little fanfare.

That has all changed now the region’s governing body announced it had secured World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status for its season ending EGF Order of Merit Championship from April 18-20.

That means The Address Montgomerie Dubai Men’s Open on Oct.19-20, the 13 following 36-hole strokeplay events for men and nine 18-hole ladies tournaments over the next seven months have suddenly become a whole lot more significant.

Josh Hill

Now the top 30 qualifiers in each of the men’s and women’s OOM regular season points races will play for WAGR points at the EGF Order of Merit Championship in April at a venue yet to be finalised. And WAGR points (sanctioned by the R&A and the United States Golf Association) will help golfers such as reigning men’s OOM champion Josh Hill qualify for events such as The Amateur Open, The U.S. Amateur (plus respective junior events) and the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

RELATED: Former EGF champion Rayhan Thomas finishes 2nd at Asia-Pacific Amateur, earns Open Championship qualifying series start

“Hosting a World Amateur Golf Ranking event is a great achievement for the Emirates Golf Federation,” EGF Vice Chairman Adel Zarouni said.

“With the number of talented amateur golfers that currently reside in the UAE we are happy to provide this opportunity to our members. There is no doubt that this WAGR event will in encourage and keep developing the Order of Merit season but also golf as a whole in the UAE.”

The EGF will also administer a 10-event junior series but the Junior EGF Order of Merit Championship will not carry WAGR points.

Here’s the full schedules:

Emirates Golf Federation 2018-19 Order of Merit Series

Men
October 19-20: The Address Montgomerie Men’s Open
October 26-27: RAK Men’s Open (Al Hamra Golf Club)
December 7-8: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Men’s Open Championship
January 4-5: Omega Dubai Creek Men’s Open (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club)
January 10-11: Omega Emirates Amateur Open (Emirates Golf Club)
January 18-19: Tower Links Golf Club Men’s Open
February 1-2: Jumeirah Golf Estates Men’s Amateur Open
February 22-23: Trump International Golf Club Men’s Open
March 8-9: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Men’s Open
March 15-16: Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men’s Open
March 15-16: Al Ghazal Golf Club Men’s Open
March 22-23: Yas Links Abu Dhabi Men’s Open
March 29-30: Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club Men’s Open
April 5-6: The Els Club Men’s Open
April 18-20: Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship (Venue TBC)

Ladies
November 10: Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club Ladies Open
December 8: Trump International Golf Club Ladies Open
January 19: Jumeirah Golf Estates Ladies Amateur Open
January 25: Al Ghazal Golf Club Ladies Open
February 2: 11th Dufry Ladies’ Open Championship (Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club)
February 8: Ping Dubai Creek Ladies Amateur Open (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club)
February 15: RAK Ladies Open (Al Hamra Golf Club)
March 8: Tower Links Golf Club Ladies Open
March 9: Emirates Golf Club Ladies Amateur Open
April 18-20: Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship (Venue TBC)

Juniors
October 27 – Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Open
November 3:  Emirates Golf Club Junior Open
December 13: Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club Junior Open Championship
January 26: Trump International Golf Club Junior Open
March 1: RAK Junior Open (Al Hamra Golf Club)
March 9: Jumeirah Golf Estates Junior Open
March 15: Tower Links Golf Club Junior Open
March 23: Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club Junior Open
March 29: Dubai Creek Junior Open (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club)
March 30: Yas Links Abu Dhabi Junior Open
April 18-20: Emirates Golf Federation OOM Championship (Venue TBC)

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